What are some things you should never do in Turkey?

Question

Just to avoid being picked up by the Jandarma or being rude and offending people.

Answer 1

My answer includes your other question as well, the one about your hair color:

Turkey is a touristic destination for millions of people for many decades. Even if you are the weirdest person on the world, Turks would not mind this.

There is not only one tourist type coming to Turkey. g**s, lesbians and punks come to Turkey too as well as families, students or members of the world jet-set. Turks are used to see all sorts of people from around the world.

Shortly, Don't worry. The bottomline is you are not going to a closed, clueless society. The country which you will visit has a global and open society.

Wellcome to my country and have a nice holiday.

Answer 2

Im a bit surprised about other peoples answers, so narrowminded and stereotyped.

when travelling the world one does so with an open mind. obviously there are laws to be abided by but no more different from those rules we comply with around the world.

people are very extreme in there views sometimes. turkey is a beautiful country,istanbul is mesmerising. you are just as safe in turkey as you are walking down your own street. mind you some streets in the uk are questionable. i have never had a bad experience in turkey, despite in some rural areas being a little more conservative and religious the cities are very cosmopolitan and have never been intolerable of any other cultures or traditions. the stricter rules , i/e the rules on the  leader ataturk apply to the citizens of turkey, but even that is a little exaggerated.

wherever you decide to go, go with a free mind and enjoy yourself.  

Answer 3

I agree with what others have said regarding:

don't dis ataturk

don't bring up the Armenian genocide

don't discuss the Kurdish conflict

Also:

Don't make much eye contact with any male unless you really want to date him. Turkish men can be very aggressive when it comes to chatting women up, so don't give any signals that can be misconstrued or they might pounce (so to speak). Especially in the Sultanahmet section of Istanbul, which is the old city, where there are tons of English-speaking carpet sellers, tourism people, etc. who will try to talk your ear off. I'm speaking from experience here.  

Answer 4

Easy, avoid Turkey all together, if you want a similar country without the hassel go to Morocco, much safer.  

Answer 5

Dont lay on the Van lake beach with a tanga.Thong

Answer 6

Well, when I was in Turkey (Istanbul), I did normal things, that you might do in any other European city. I didn't notice anything special. Why are people trying to show Turkey in such a bad light? This guy who said you get funny looks if your arms are uncovered, that's only if you're in a mosque, not on the street. I wore short sleeves all the time, because it was summer, and no one gave me funny looks; actually most of them did the same. Believe it or not, they even let me visit the Blue Mosque wearing short sleeves (it was a tourist visit), but I had to cover my hair and  take my shoes off.

Answer 7

don't talk about the Armenian genocide.

don't talk about Atatürk in a negative way.

Answer 8

there aren't any "never" in Turkey. Somethings can be not acceptable softly. but no "never"

Answer 9

as a Half irish half turkish there are 4 thing you shode not do in turkey that you can do in other countrys

1-say something bad abaut atatürk (dont mean like was ataturk a imperialist peopel will be happy to explane all you wanna know its the favorite public pass timeXD)

2-Armenian genoside say thats real or partly true %99 ofm turkish people will not want anything to do with you

3-Turkish Kurdistan(PKK) stuff talking abaut what you probably are not very informed abaut its like people saying (the kurds want there home back even do they never had a nation they where allways considered one with the turks)  (because like a 100 years a go islam was only thng that mattered not race)

4-in major citys you can walk like you whode walk in any major city (by mojor i mean abaut 70 of the 82 mojor citys most sea side areas (istanbul antalya just look at the map any province near the waater you will be able to walk araun in nearly all its villageas like you whode walk in the main city (they are more teuristic than most citys) but in citys in the far east  (dont go there nothing there wort seeing anyway) you may have to be more covered (not head scarf just like where a top with short sleavs dont where mini skirts etc. you can but people will look at you funny (mostly because there not well adecated (they have finished high school. but most will not have finished Univirsity + its more religios area) thats all if you come to antalya your more than welcome to come to are restuarant its called MC yörük's ins in centrel antalya yenikapı

Answer 10

Just things like burning the Turkish flag, talking **** about Ataturk, KILLING PEOPLE...  

Answer 11

Danny Boy you shouldn't be putting forward your own views. Yes the PKK kill people and that is wrong, but they do not represent every Kurdish person and the reasons for Kurds to want their own country are far more complicated than you suggested.

Don't put in little jabs, you know people don't know what you're talking about and will just accept what you say, you have a responsibility to either give all of the information or just not give your opinion.  

Answer 12

In the large cities and tourist resorts life is very straightforward and the people are generally liberal and understanding of foreigners' ways.

However there are are a few DOs and DON'Ts:

If you visit a mosque, you must remove your shoes before entering (and step immediately from your shoes onto the clean/carpeted area). Wear modest clothes including a head covering for women.

Avoid making derogatory comments about Ataturk or the flag.

If you visit someone's house you should remove your shoes (slippers will probably be provided).

You will probably attract some curious looks, try not to stare back!

Remember to have some ID with you at all times (it is a legal requirement).

In more rural areas you should dress reasonably conervatively but foreign women are not required to cover their heads.

Contrary to what someone else wrote, there is lots of interest in the east! Again, more conservative attire is advisable.

Answer 13

My aunt went and got funny looks because she had her arms uncovered but you won't get arrested or anything for that

Answer 14

KILL IT